Government CENSORS 8 YouTube channels for promoting misinformation
The issue of misinformation and fake news on YouTube is escalating, posing a significant challenge. In response to the Nuh violence, the local government resorted to shutting down internet access in the district to prevent the spread of misleading information and inflammatory messages. In a surprising move, India has now taken action by banning eight YouTube channels, collectively amassing a staggering 23 million subscribers. According to the government, these channels were actively engaged in disseminating false news.
According to a PTI report, the channels were “cracked” for spreading fake news like Lok Sabha by-polls and ban on electronic voting machines. The videos of these channels were regularly viewed by a large number of people, which could have led to the mass dissemination of misinformation.
The government bans 8 YouTube channels
According to the report, officials said the Press Information Bureau (PIB) has checked the videos of these YouTube channels for spreading fake news. The following is a list of channels that are banned.
- Yahan Sach Dekho
- Capital TV
- KPS News
- Sarkari Vlog
- Earn Tech India
- SPN9 News
- Educational Dost
- World Best News
World Best News, a YouTube channel with over 1.7 million subscribers and over 18 million views, was found to be misrepresenting the Indian Army, officials said.
They said the Educational Dost channel, which has more than 3.43 million subscribers and 23 million views, spread false information about the government’s plans, while SPN9 News, which has more than 4.8 million subscribers and 189 million views, spread fake news, which involved the President, the Prime Minister and several Union Ministers.
According to authorities, the Sarkari Vlog channel, which has more than 4.5 million subscribers and more than 9.4 million views, spread fake news about the government’s plans.
They said that the channel ‘KPS News’, which has more than one million subscribers and more than 13 million views, is spreading fake news about government related schemes, regulations and decisions like LPG cylinders available at ₹20 and petrol at ₹15 per litre.
The channel ‘Capital TV’ which has more than 3.5 million subscribers and more than 160 million views, also spread fake news about the Prime Minister, the government and the orders to declare President’s rule in West Bengal.
A YouTube channel ‘Yahan Sach Dekho’ with over 3 million subscribers and over 100 million views shared fake news about the Election Commission and the Chief Justice of India.
With over 31,000 subscribers and 3.6 million views, Earn India Tech was found to be spreading fake news related to Aadhar card, PAN card and others.
